Day Nursery

Hello and thank you for taking an interest in Westfield Day Nursery. Our aim at Westfield Day Nursery is to provide a home-from home relaxed and friendly environment whilst giving quality care and helping your children to develop to their full potential. We aim to give your child the best start in life they can have academically and socially.

We have been providing a childcare service for 18 years now. The nursery is open all day from 8am – 5.45pm 50 weeks of the year. We accept the free 15 hours government funding for children aged 3 years and childcare vouchers. We provide morning and afternoon sessions as well as full days.

Come and have a look around!

All parents / carers are more than welcome to come and have a look around our nursery. You will then be able to get a feel for the place and see how we operate each day. You will have the chance to meet the staff and to ask any questions you may have. All we ask you to do is try to come and see us between the hours of 9.30 – 11.30 or 1.00 – 5.00. Feel free to pop in anytime but if you can, ring to make an appointment so that the manager can give all her time and attention to yourself.

When are we open and how much do we charge?

We are open 50 weeks of the year and insured to take children from 8am until 5.45pm each day. We are closed all bank holidays and for one week in July which is decided within the year. We offer morning sessions and afternoon sessions:

Morning – 8am – 1pm (including snack and dinner)

Afternoon – 1pm – 5.45pm (including tea)

Fees

Full time over 2 years – £145
Full time under 2 years – £155
All day under 2 years – £39
All day over 2 years – £36
Morning / afternoon under 2 years – £28
Morning / afternoon over 2 years – £26

A security deposit consisting of 2 week’s worth of fees is needed to secure your child’s place. This deposit is then deducted from your last month’s fees. If you go on holiday or your child is ill you still need to pay your fees. Bank holidays need to be paid for. If your child attends on a Monday only then we can change your day for that week if there are spaces available. Please come to the manager to arrange this. Fees can be paid by cash, cheque or standing order.

Illness – what you need to know

As with any nursery or closed environment illness can spread fast and affect many children. Within our policies and procedures we follow the guidelines from the Health Protection Agency. Below are the most common illnesses we have at nursery and their exclusion periods:

Sickness / Diarrhoea either or both – 48 hours after last dose. If your child has diarrhoea at nursery then we will call you after 2 cases of it. After the 3rd we call you to collect your child.

Chicken pox – 5 days from the onset of rash and when spots have healed over and are not weeping

Conjunctivitis – none. We do ask that you take your child to the doctors to get drops. Once they have the drops they can come back into nursery

Head lice – None. We do ask you to treat your child’s hair with treatment as soon as possible.

Tonsillitis – none. Most causes are due to viral bacteria, which means that they do not need an antibiotic. However if your child seems ill then keep them off until they are better.

We CAN NOT give children calpol or any other medicine that has not been prescribed by a doctor. If your child appears unwell at nursery then a member of staff will call you to come and collect your child at the earliest possibility. Medication forms can be filled in so staff can administer prescribed medication.

What happens if you decide to come to Westfield Day Nursery?

If after your visit you decide to bring your child to nursery we will look at the days and times you wish them to attend and try to accommodate you as best we can. We will then decide on a few dates for your child to come in for induction sessions. We recommend that they come in for a few sessions the week before they start. They can stay for as long or as short a time as you wish. These inductions are free of charge.

Whilst your child is getting to know the staff, children and environment the manager and yourself will look at the paperwork you will need to fill in and discuss your fee payments. The paper work you fill in are standard forms that all parents complete. If your child is accepting the government funding we will need a copy of their birth certificate, medical card or passport as proof of their date of birth.

Key person system

As soon as your child starts nursery they will be assigned a key person. A key person is a particular member of staff who will work closely with a small group of children and try to make strong bonds with them. A key person can provide a ‘safe base’ for children; they are someone the children can go to if they need help, a cuddle or just reassurance. The key person will also be a point of contact for you if you ever need to discuss an issue with them. The key person will be responsible for their key children’s learning journeys. A learning journey is a file that is dedicated to your child’s learning and development. It focuses on a specific child’s individual needs and the key person will help the child to progress onto the next stages of the curriculum. Progress summaries, which are a requirement of the funding, are completed termly on each child. These are then sent to their school when they leave so teachers can look at each child’s level of development.

We have parents evenings 2/3 times a year. These are mainly done at Christmas, Easter and July. This is time for you and your child’s key person to sit down and discuss your child’s development. You will be able to look through their learning journey and discuss any matters you wish to talk about. Theses evenings are normally done on a formal basis and appointments are made.

What is National Education Funding? (NEF)

“Did you know that all parents and carers of children aged 3 and 4, can have up to 15 hours FREE early learning and childcare each week, during school term time, regardless of how much money you earn?”

(Parent and Carer information)

We can claim up to 15 hours a week for a maximum of 38 weeks per year. This equates to 570 hours over the period of a year to be taken during term times. Although you do have these hours you can only take them over a certain time. These times are as follows:

Can take no more than 10 hours in any one day

You can’t use less than 2.5 hours in any one day

You can’t access your 15 hours either before 8am or after 6pm

If you take your full 15 hours, you must take these over at least 3days per week.

If you only want to take your hours over 2 days per week, the maximum you can use is 12.5 hours

You can spread your 15 hours between a maximum of 2 settings, providing they operate for at least 38 weeks per year. You cannot claim for more than 15 hours a week.

Your child must be in attendance for all of the funded time claimed for them, unless there is a valid reason such as illness or holiday.

The table below shows when your child is eligible for the funding.

A child born between:

Will be eligible for a free place from:

1st April and 31st August

Start of the Autumn term

1st September – 31st December

Start of the spring term

1st January – 31st March

Start of the summer term

This will come in to force the term after they turn 3 years old. Only settings who can meet a certain standard of quality can offer this funding meaning that this can give you reassurance that your child is being well looked after. Children who take advantage of this funding are also better prepared for school. There are lots of different types of early learning and childcare places available. Although you have a choice of providers, you may not always be offered the full entitlement at the times you want at the provider of choice. You can however take the hours available at the time and put your name on a waiting list for the other days.

If you decide to have your child in nursery for more than 15 hours a week then you should agree the charges for these extra hours directly with the setting, preferably before you take up the place. If your child stays for dinner than a small charge of £1 will be asked for. However if you do not want to pay this charge then you can discuss with us to bring in your own packed lunch.

When your child starts nursery you will sign a document titled Parent’s statement of Undertaking (PSOU). This will confirm when your child is due in and what times. If your child does not attend a session then you need to contact nursery and give a reason why they are not in. When they return you will be asked to sign an absence sheet. You will also need to provide a copy of your child’s birth date such as a birth certificate, passport or medical card.

For more information and help in choosing a setting you can call the Leicestershire Family Information Service on 0116 305 6545.

What is the nursery curriculum?

Since 2000, the nursery setting has had an early year’s curriculum. Over the past 10 years it has taken many forms and from 2007/2008 it has been reassessed and is now called The Early Years Foundation Stage or EYFS. This curriculum covers ages from 0 – 60 months plus. This curriculum is carried on into the reception year of school. The curriculum is covered by providing indoor and outdoor activities. When your child’s key person completes their learning journey they will follow the learning outcomes from the EYFS. There are 3 prime areas of the EYFS and 4 specific areas. The emphases is on having a good foundation of the prime areas to support children in the specific areas. The areas are as follows:

Prime area: Communication, Language and Literacy

The children are given opportunity to extend their vocabulary and understanding of language and literacy through all aspects of play, including the use of books, news time, rhymes, drama and music. The children are encouraged to develop an understanding of phonic sounds, their formation and their meaning.

Personal, social and emotional

We support the children to develop confidence and self respect within a caring environment. They are encouraged to share and participate within the group, showing respect for property and the feelings of others as well as themselves. The children are encouraged to develop a close relationship with their key person and will participate in large and small group activities to increase confidence.

Knowledge and understanding of the world

The children explore the world around them, both indoors and outdoors, and are encouraged to talk about and record their observations. This area covers your child’s preschool learning in history, geography, cultures, sciences, technology and environmental issues.

Physical development

A range of equipment and opportunities will encourage your child to develop confidence, awareness and enjoyment of their physical abilities. Physical activities aim to increase mobility, core strength, balance and control. We have use of enclosed outdoor areas and the children are taken out as often as is possible. Support is also given to increase fine motor skills for using pencils, scissors, paint etc. We also support children with health and self care and understanding how their body works

Mathematics

The children are given opportunities to become familiar with the early mathematical skills and language through exploring various play activities; such as sand, water and construction. These support more traditional methods converting concepts of shape, numbers, matching, sorting and rhymes.

Literacy

The children are encouraged to link sounds and letters and begin to read and write. We support the early stages giving children access to print and media and encouraging early mark making.

Understanding the world

The children explore the world around them, both indoors and outdoors, and are encouraged to talk about and record their observations. This area covers your child’s preschool learning in history, geography, cultures, sciences, technology and environmental issues.

Expressive arts and design

We provide a range of resources, including paint, glue, crayons and natural materials to simulate creative expression. Children join in with and respond to music and stories and opportunity is given for using imagination in both small and large groups. Encouragement is given to increase independence and individuality. We support children with introduction to role play and provide resources necessary to support their imagination.

Our policies and procedures

As like every day nursery we follow and adhere to a set of polices and procedures. Contained in these are legislations and laws that we have to follow and guidlines for staff to use. Here are the main policies and procedures for you to read:

Safeguarding children – protecting and preventing harm

In order to provide an environment where children are safe we all need to respond appropriately and promptly to any concerns. We have an obligation to talk to you about any concerns (except in the most extreme circumstances where a child may be at risk of further harm.) and act on them if necessary. If it is within our power, we will offer confidential and unbiased support. Our desiganted person for child protection is Natalie but feel free to initially approach any member of staff you feel comfortable with.

Parents please note that bumps etc that your child arrives with must be mentioned to staff so that we can be sure they have not happened at nursery. You will be asked to sign an acciedent/inncedent form before leaving your child with us if the injury is noticable.

It is important that we know who is picking up your child. If you suddenly are unable to collect your child they you must phone us immediatly and let us know the change of details. A password can be given to any person new to the setting who staff are not familiar to be used when collecting-please ensure you tell staff this password. If we can not contact you we will phone your emergency contact and ask for their consent or to collect.

If you fail to collect your child at their normla time we will contact you to see if there is a problem. We have a failure to collect policy. Ask a member of staff if you wish to see it.

Person with legal parental responsibility

Biological mothers automatically have parental responsibility. Biological fathers who are, or were, married to the mother at conception, birth or married the mother after the birth also do. Adoption via an adoption order.

Unarried fathers do not have automatic parental responsibility, but may obtain it by registartion or re-registartion by both mother and father at the regisrty office. However if a child was born before 1st december 2003, and the father was not named on the birth certificate an unmarried father can still get parental responsibility by: making a parental responsibilty agreement with the mother; obtaining a parental responsibilty order from the court.

Equal Opportunities

We beleive that our group’s aims, activites and curriculum should be open to the diverse needs of all children and make equal opportunities an integral part of our setting. As a community based preschool we seek to eliminate discrimination with regard to age, gender, disability, race or sexual orientation adn everyone using the community site will do so too. Our preschool has reagrd for the DCSF Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs and will accommodate children’s needs to the best of our ability in partnership with parents. Should indicators of differing ability develop we will need to discuss what part we can play in meeting your child’s needs together ad our SENCO Sarah Grundy may be involved.

Behaviour managemant (and bullying)

We believe that preschool and parents working together is the best way to develop desirable behaviour patterns and still maintain the child’s self-esteem. We abide by a no physical punishment policy and we ask parents and carers to respect this on our premises. Any behavioural concerns will be explained to the child at an appropriate level and at the time that they occur. We provide a secure environment to encourage positive behaviour and mutual respect and we expect our children and parents to do the same.

Very young children are still learning the social boundaries that adults see clearly. Please be careful not to be judgemental towards young children. Voicing opinion that may be incorrect will only create prejudice and do nothing to solve problems.

However ‘repeated unwanted behviour’ is not acceptable and may at a later age be perceived as bullying. If you have any concerns about repeated unwanted behaviour pleasetell us first and keep it confidential. We will act on any behaviour concerns and report back to you. We ask for your support. Everyone needs to be polite, repectful and courteous to each other.

Our behaviour designated person is Jodie Dunkley

Complaints

We welcome a working partnership with parents and expect everyone to be entitled to courtesy and respect. Most needs and problems can be resolved in a friendly and informal manner. If you have any concerns or issues about the nursery, please talk it over first with any member of staff and/or the manager. If this proves unsatisfactory , please refer to main complaints policy, placed on the notice board and in the main policies book. All matters will be kept confidentail wherever possible.

Some general key points to remember

Parents and carers are asked to bring in their own nappies and wipes for children who require them

Please bring in a change of clothes for your child and make sure that all clothes are named.

Toys and other property that children and parents leave at nursery are left at their own risk.

Provide suitable clothing for all weathers

To ring nursery if your child is not attending

to keep up to date with your nursery fees – if you encounter financial difficulty then please speak to the nursery manager as soon as possible

when you are on the premises your child is your responsibility. Always be aware that the community centre car park is very busy so great care needs to be taken when on it.